HOOVER, Ala. — Coach Mark Richt, quarterback Matthew Stafford and tailback Knowshon Moreno are receiving the most attention entering Georgia’s potentially promising football season.

Yet Richt is hoping defensive coordinator Willie Martinez continues his quiet, effective consistency.

“I think our defense gets shortchanged somewhat, and I think Coach Martinez has been shortchanged somewhat in people’s perception of the job that he’s doing,” Richt said Thursday. “I think he’s doing a phenomenal job, quite frankly. Willie’s been very steady.”

Martinez, one of five assistants who have been with Richt since 2001, was elevated from secondary coach following the 2004 season when Brian VanGorder left for an NFL opening. The Bulldogs won the SEC in 2005, but Martinez drew criticism that season when Auburn scored 31 points in Athens and West Virginia tallied 38 in the Sugar Bowl.

There was more criticism in 2006 when Tennessee rung up 51 points in Sanford Stadium, but the Bulldogs finished 14th nationally in total defense last season and return nine starters.

“Look at some of the teams we’ve played,” Richt said. “Boise State was supposed to be the best offense in the world, and we did a heck of a job against them. Oklahoma State was a team that was supposed to have one of the best offenses in the world, and you saw what happened. Hawaii was supposed to have one of the best offensive teams in the country, and you saw what happened in that game.

“That has a lot to do with Willie’s ability to understand offensive football. A lot of people want to see these flashy blitzes, but Willie is going to do what he feels is best to win the game.”

Like a brother

Georgia will have two former Parade All-American receivers on its roster this fall with senior Mohamed Massaquoi and freshman A.J. Green. It didn’t take long for the pair to bond this summer.

“He’s like my little brother, and anything that he needs, he knows he can come to me,” Massaquoi said. “He’s going to be a stud. I think he has all the tools to be as good as he wants to be and as good as this conference has ever seen.”

Green caught 72 passes for 1,437 yards last season at Summerville (S.C.) High and was rated the No. 2 prep receiver nationally behind Alabama signee Julio Jones.

A tough choice

Richt said the recent dismissing of defensive end Michael Lemon was “the toughest decision I’ve had to make in that regard.” Lemon was charged earlier this month with felony aggravated assault after fracturing the eye of a fellow student.

There is a possible path for Lemon to return, but his charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years if he’s convicted.

Odds and ends

Richt said offensive linemen Trinton Sturdivant and Justin Anderson, who were arrested in late June on misdemeanor charges after touching a pregnant woman’s belly, are facing in-house discipline and will not be suspended. ... Georgia should have 21 of 23 signees report Aug. 3, with athlete Xavier Avery (pro baseball) and defensive end Toby Jackson (academics) the exceptions. Jackson will attend prep school. ... Georgia’s 97-30 record the past 10 years is the best in the SEC. Florida and Tennessee have 93-34 marks, followed by LSU (89-37) and Auburn (83-40).

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